Terra (A Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare FanFiction)

Chapter 4- Find Your Own Captain

February 5, 2121

"Would you rather have short arms and long legs or long arms and short legs?" Elijah asked into the silent command room.

We'd taken off from Mars with ease, the old ship not letting any of us down besides a few shudders that had scared the shit out of Elijah and myself- not that I'd admit such things aloud. Reyes had begun commanding the five of us around since take off. It wasn't like I didn't mind or anything, because I wasn't even close to the value of his rank. If it hadn't been for him I don't think we ever would've gotten off of Mars anyways.

That's why he deserved to be the one in charge.

I stood at the center of the bridge with Nick at a 3D map and multiple controls perched upon a square desk-like table. Whenever I could I stole glances at Nick Reyes. The way he stood, head high, back straight, hands switching things on the panel in front of him naturally, made tingles spread through my body- the tingles of admiration. His blue eyes were solely focused on the polarized windows overlooking the runway and turrets. He also focused himself to making short, simple commands or requests to one of the rebels. The mind of his that multitasked so easily was riddled with power and bravery, two amazing characteristics, yet it also held the secrets of his past.

Secrets I still wanted to know.

"Where did that come from, Elijah?" Caitlyn laughed lightheartedly, bringing me back to reality.

The black man shrugged, "I don't know."

"Long arms," Caleb answered with a smirk. "I couldn't miss out on my-"

"You could still do things with short arms, you perv," Caitlyn grumbled and rolled her eyes to her sibling. "I say long legs so I can reach things I can't usually."

"What about you, Terra?" Elijah cocked his head in my direction.

I could feel another gaze besides Elijah's narrow in on me. Subtly, I glanced to where Reyes was watching me out of the corner of his blue orbs. Was he curious in my answer or wondering if I was truly that childish?

Just as soon as his gaze was on me it was off.

"Um," I stood up straighter, not used to such a random question. "Neither."

"That's not a choice," Elijah pouted.

"I just made it one," I smiled.

"Smartass."

Caitlyn looked to Nick. "And you, Captain?"

Reyes was quiet for a moment, his eyes never straying from the space ahead of the ship. I could see his shoulder muscles stiffen. "There isn't any time for games or goofing off in battle."

"Because we're really going to get attacked by anyone, right?" Caleb rolled his eyes.

"Shut it, Caleb," Caitlyn hissed and turned sweet to face Reyes. "Captain, might I ask you how you've managed to look so young and healthy even after your supposed death?"

My jade twins snapped to Reyes, who had moved his freakishly calm gaze to Caitlyn. This was what I'd wanted to know for hours now, days even. Screw it: all the years I'd researched I'd wanted to know this freaking answer. He'd dismissed the question before and I was going to make sure he wouldn't do it again.

"Back then, I had a best friend named Ethan. He was a robot, an E3N or Enhanced Tactical Humanoid, and a strong warrior at that."

"Heard of them," Dani nodded.

Reyes steadily glanced at her and then continued. "On our final mission, he secretly injected me with some type of coma-causing substance before he self-destructed. I think when I was shot out of the building, the substance kicked in and put me into a safe space hibernation. I didn't age nor suffer from the lack of oxygen."